Targeted Inhibition Of The FACT (Facilitates Chromatin Transcription) Complex As A Novel Therapeutic Approach In Aggressive Childhood Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,029,488.00
Summary
Our research focusses on the most aggressive of all childhood cancers, and our aim is to develop novel therapies for these malignancies. We have discovered a new drug target called "FACT" in aggressive brain and solid tumours of childhood. Targeting FACT with a new class of drugs termed "curaxins" has a powerful anti-tumour effect. We aim to investigate the potential of these drugs as a new, effective therapy for incurable childhood cancers.
TARGETING A NOVEL DNA-DAMAGE SIGNALING PATHWAY TO TREAT GLIOMAS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$97,783.00
Summary
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a high grade brain tumour for which current treatment modalities are inadequate. Tumour recurrence is almost inevitable and average life expectancy is measured in months. We have identified two proteins as potential therapeutic targets and demonstrated that depleting these proteins in vitro severely impacts on tumour cell viability. We will investigate the impact of targeting these proteins in mouse models of human gliomas and dissect the mechanism that leads to ....Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a high grade brain tumour for which current treatment modalities are inadequate. Tumour recurrence is almost inevitable and average life expectancy is measured in months. We have identified two proteins as potential therapeutic targets and demonstrated that depleting these proteins in vitro severely impacts on tumour cell viability. We will investigate the impact of targeting these proteins in mouse models of human gliomas and dissect the mechanism that leads to their upregulation in tumour cells.Read moreRead less
EphA2 And EphA3 Maintain Tumour Initiating Cells And Are Therapeutic Targets In Brain Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,860.00
Summary
High-grade glioma (HGG) is the most common adult brain cancer; current treatments have increased survival times by months only. Our studies have shown brain cancer specific expression of a family of cell surface proteins called Eph receptors. Furthermore we have shown targeting these receptors with Eph antibodies leads to a significant reduction in brain cancer tumour growth. We now propose to test targeting these receptors in combination to achieve greater responses with minimal side effects.
Radiosensitisation Of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas By Modulating Glucose Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,000.00
Summary
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) represents the most aggressive cancer of childhood with no effective treatment available and radiotherapy is the only form of treatment that offers a transient benefit. We have successfully grown the first DIPG cells in the laboratory and found a new approach to radiosensitise them by targeting glucose metabolism. We will build on these findings and develop this treatment strategy to make this novel therapy available to children with this deadly disease.
Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism In Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas As A Novel Therapeutic Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,796.00
Summary
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) represents the most aggressive cancer of childhood, with no effective treatments available, and almost all children dying within one year of diagnosis. We have successfully grown the first DIPG cells in the laboratory and found a new approach to attack them, by specifically targeting the cell's power source - the mitochondria. We will build on these findings and develop this treatment strategy with the aim to make this novel therapy available to children w ....Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) represents the most aggressive cancer of childhood, with no effective treatments available, and almost all children dying within one year of diagnosis. We have successfully grown the first DIPG cells in the laboratory and found a new approach to attack them, by specifically targeting the cell's power source - the mitochondria. We will build on these findings and develop this treatment strategy with the aim to make this novel therapy available to children with this deadly disease.Read moreRead less
Nfib Regulates Glial Differentiation During Development And Disease Via Repression Of The Key Epigenetic Protein, Ezh2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,912.00
Summary
Glial development is critical during development, and unrestrained proliferation of glial stem cells in the adult can lead to deadly brain cancers such as glioma. At present there is no cure for glioma and current treatments do not significantly delay tumour progression. Nfib is a transcription factor that may prevent tumour growth through cellular differentiation. We will investigate the role of Nfib during development and in the pathogenesis of glioma and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Each year more than one million people in the US alone suffer serious nerve injury significantly impairing quality of life and costing more than US$7 billion. This research will develop nerve conduits based on polymers and the natural constituents of nerve to provide an alternative to the current practice of nerve grafting. It is envisaged that this conduit will provide an effective platform for nerve repair and will expedite the development of regenerative platforms for other neural tissues.
EphA3 Is A Marker Of Glioma Stem/progenitor Cells And A Potential Target For Therapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,860.00
Summary
EphA3 is a cell surface marker which is enriched on glioma ‘propagating’ stem cells (GSCs) and furthermore has a functional role in regulating GSC differentiation and fate determination. EphA3 therefore provides a novel therapeutic target for high-grade glioma.
The Development Of Innovative Multiplexed Molecular Imaging Technology Targeting Improved Diagnostic Imaging Of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,599.00
Summary
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is extremely invasive and the most lethal of all primary brain tumours. To optimise treatment planning, we propose to develop novel Multiplexed Molecular Imaging (MMI) technology employing the latest PET-MRI hybrid imaging technology. Our strategy targets the development of new F19 MRI MI agents for measuring tumour infiltration that can be multiplexed with F18 PET hypoxia tracers. Our MI agents can also act as conjugative vehicles for drug delivery.
An Integrated Systems Biology Approach For The Development Of New Therapeutic Strategies For The Treatment Of High Grade Glioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,404.00
Summary
Glioma, the most common adult brain cancer, is incurable. Recent advances now allow us to grow glioma cells directly from patients in the laboratory in a way that preserves the features of the original tumor. In this proposal we will systematically analyze such cells using state-of-the-art technologies to identify new processes important to glioma, which in turn should facilitate the identification of innovative therapeutic approaches.